Remarks by the Prime Minister at the Summit on Peace in Ukraine

As delivered

Thank you, Mr. Chair,

And let me agree with the President of Portugal; this summit is a success.

The whole world is here, at least we are representative for those countries who stand by international law and the immense value to protect states and thereby protect people.

I would also like to express thanks to Switzerland for organizing this huge gathering. And to President Zelensky to you and your team for perseverance, traveling around, being present. It is impressive.

Very shortly – on why I think this meeting is such a success – it is that we are addressing this issue: What do we do when such an aggression not only causes havoc on the people and the nation, but really tears down principles that we all depend on. So, we are affected. Norway, like Finland and Estonia, are bordering Russia. So, we have a neighbour that has in a major way attacked another neighbour. So, what do we do?

Well, in a way, we have to come and build back better; unite around the principles of humanitarian law, the UN Charter, and I think our statement from this meeting in principle is very important. In addition to addressing, Mr. Zelensky, your key peace formula; this time on food security, nuclear safety and the human dimension.

So, leaving Switzerland, we have to ask ourselves what's next? What are we doing tomorrow morning? Well, we are starting on the road towards the next summit that the President has envisioned.

And let me just share a few points on that:

We have to be wise and smart. We have to maintain this unity of so many states.

And you can count on us. Norway will be supporting Ukraine, your right to defence, but also in your civil areas. We have today unleashed a package to support your rebuilding of electricity systems, so that there will be electricity for the hospitals of Kharkiv, and that there will be safety for those key services.

And we will continue to support you on bringing back your children. There are big issues and small issues, and the big issue here is that children are missing. So, we really have to work on that.

And then I think finally there can be no double language on international law and the Charter of the UN. It is one language, and that's why we have to be principled on the Middle East, on Gaza, on Sudan, and the rest of the world.

So, Mr. President, we will be with you on that next phase. You have to continue to engage with us on how to make the next summit successful. And after this summit, I feel just more inspired that we will succeed on that road. Slava Ukraini!